Imagine skipping the long, tiring drive from Mumbai to Goa and instead boarding a train with your car. While you sit back and enjoy the journey, your vehicle travels safely along with you. This exciting travel option might soon be available, thanks to a new initiative by the Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL).
Building on the success of its Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) service used for transporting trucks, KRCL now plans to expand the concept to include private vehicles like cars and SUVs. The idea is to let passengers drive their own vehicles onto specially designed train coaches, offering a unique blend of comfort and convenience.
A pilot launch is expected around the Ganapati festival, targeting the busy travel period. The goal is to provide a safer, more eco-friendly, and hassle-free alternative to the often challenging 10 to 12-hour road trip. The Mumbai-Goa route is known for its winding roads, steep ghats, traffic congestion, and unpredictable weather—all of which the Ro-Ro service could help travelers avoid.
Understanding the Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) Concept
The Roll-on Roll-off (Ro-Ro) system is a rail-based transport solution where vehicles are driven directly onto specially built wagons using ramps. These wagons are designed to accommodate vehicles up to 3.425 meters in height. Currently, this model is successfully used to transport trucks between Kolad in Maharashtra and Mangalore in Karnataka. Truck drivers typically travel along with their vehicles, often resting in their cabins during the journey.
Why It’s a Game-Changer for Travelers
- Time-efficient: Avoids the exhausting road journey, especially during peak travel seasons.
- Eco-friendly: Cuts down on fuel usage and reduces carbon emissions.
- Safe and comfortable: Particularly beneficial during the monsoon, when roads can be treacherous.
- Relaxing journey: Offers a chance to enjoy the scenic Konkan coastline, read, or simply unwind while your vehicle travels with you.
Making Monsoon Travel Safer
The Konkan region is notorious for landslides and flooding during the monsoon, often making road travel risky and unpredictable. The Ro-Ro service offers a safer and more reliable alternative, helping passengers avoid pothole-filled roads and traffic snarls.
To further enhance safety this season, Konkan Railway has strengthened its monsoon preparedness. The revised monsoon schedule will run from June 15 to October 20—10 days shorter than previous years—thanks to improved safety protocols, including:
- Deployment of 636 trained personnel to monitor high-risk areas in real time.
- Installation of LED signaling systems and automated rain gauges at nine critical points.
- Speed restrictions during low visibility conditions to prevent mishaps.
What’s Next for Ro-Ro?
Konkan Railway has long been transporting freight using the Ro-Ro model. Now, extending the service to private vehicles such as cars and SUVs is the logical next step.
If the pilot run—likely to begin during the upcoming Ganapati festival—proves successful, this could pave the way for similar services across India. It would not only reduce traffic on highways but also offer a premium and stress-free travel experience for road trippers.
So this festive season, instead of navigating the winding roads to Goa, you might just find yourself on a train, relaxing as your car travels beside you.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.